Tray



g- 25, 1931- J. w. STRICKLAND 1,820,635

TRAY

Filed Aug. 23, 1929 in We're Z OT Patented Aug. 25, .1931

JOHN W. S 'IBICKLAND, OF NASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA TRAY Applicationfiled August 28, 1920. Serial Io. 887,985.

My invention relates to improvements in trays to be detachably mountedupon an automobile or the like.

As is well known, drug stores, ice cream parlors and the like, have whatis known as curb service. The waiter brings the ice cream or soft drinksto the automobile at the curb. My invention provides a tray adapted foruse in this curb service. The tray is so constructed that it may bequickly and conveniently mounted upon the door or window of theautomobile, and will remain securely in place without liability ofinjury to the automobile. When the brace arm of m the tray is folded tothe inner position, the

tray may be arranged upon a table or the like.

The tray is of simple construction, easy to clean and maintain in asanitary condition.

The tray also preferably carries cups or receptacles for holding glassesand also for holding ice cream cones, and soda water or the like may bedrawn into the glasses without the operator touching the glasses withhis hand, as the tray may be turned or shifted to bring the glasses tothe desired positions to receive the syrup, carbonated water or thelike. I also contemplate using the tray without the cups or holders. Thetray may be in any suitable shape or size.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tray, showing the same applied toan automobile door,

Figure 2 is a similar view of the tray removed,

Figure 3 is through the tray,

Figure 4 is a detailed section through one of the combined glass holdersand ice cream cone holders, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a trashown as circular, for the purpose of i1 ustration, although it may beformed in any other suitable shape. This tray is provided with anupstanding rim 6.

a central vertical section The numerals 7 and 8 designate an annulargroup of cup shaped holders, and 9 a centrally arranged cup shapedholder disposed within the annular grou All of these cup shaped holdersare rigid y and rmanently "53 attached to the tray, and are a apted toreceive paper cups, drinkin glasses or the like.

The bottoms of the cup 5 aped holders 7 are closed, while tapered conereceiving tubes 10 are attachedto the tray 5, are arranged beneath thetray and lead into the bottoms of the cup shaped holders 8. The tubesand holder 8 are, therefore, adapted to receive and hold either papercups or drinking glasses, or ice cream cones. The tapered tubes 06 10also function as legs for the tray, to support the same when placed uponthe table or the like, as will be explained. The bottoms of the holders7 and 8 are provided with u standing annular stiffening ribs 7,providing annular depressions 8'. The tapered tubes 10 are preferablyformed integral with the rib 7 In connection with the holder 8, thedepression 8' serves to catch the melted ice cream, which may run downthe cone, preventing the same from passing into and through the taperedtube 10. The holders 7 and 8 may be soldered or otherwise permanentlyattached to the tray.

The numeral 20 designates combined legs 80 and clam s. which areattached to the lower surface 0 the tray and disposed opposite thecircular group of ta ered tubes 10, as shown. Each leg is preferab yformed of a section of metal bent to provide a vertical portion 21 and ahorizontal portion 22, carrying a depending vertical portion 23. Theportions 22 and 23 produce an inverted L-shaped element. At its lowerend, the portion 23 is bent into a horizontal foot 24 and the portions22 and 23 are covered by rubber 25, as shown.

Disposed opposite the combined clamps and legs 21 is an adjustablebrace-lever 26, comprising spaced sides 27. At its free end, thisbrace-lever is bent into a curved foot 28, covered by a section ofrubber 29, or the like. The numeral 30 designates a stationary segment,formed integral with cars 31, rigid y attached to the bottom of thetray. The sides 27 are disposed upon opposite sides of the segment 30and are pivoted thereto, at 32.

The segment 30 is provided with ratchet teeth 33, adaptedjgo be engagedby a pawl 34 disposed between the si es 27 and noted thereto, as shownat 35. This pawl is provided with an extension or tail 36, extendinglaterally upon the same side of the pivot 35, with the pawl, and thisextension or tail is shifted outwardly by means of a leaf-spring 37. Theextension 36 is dis osed longitudinally of the lever 26 and pro ectslaterally beyond the same, and may be readily depressed by the indexfinger, to free the pawl 34 from enga ement with the ratchet teeth 33.

en the brace-lever 26 is shifted to the upper horizontal position, itfolds beneath the tr and is positioned above the lower ends 0 thetapered tubes 10 and the combined legs and clamps 25, and hence is outof the way and will not contact with the table. The tapered tubes 10 andelements 21 now function as legs for the tray. Paper cups or glasses maybe positioned wit in any or all of the cup sha ed holders, and the traymaybe brou ht to t e positions so that syrup, carbonate water or thelike may be supplied into the glasses, without the necessity of theoperator touching the same. Ice cream cones may be inserted within thecom bined glass and cone holders. With the on shaped holders properlyfilled, the tray 1s .brought in proximity to the automobile, and

while being held by the left hand, the waiter may grasp the brace-lever26 with the right hand and place the index finger upon the pawlextension 36, depressing the pawl extension to thereby free the pawl andthen swing the brace-lever to the vertical position. The invertedL-shaped elements 21 are now placed over the edge of the door or thedoor glass of the automobile and the bracelever 26 swung inwardly untilit engages the door with the tray positioned horizontally. Thebrace-lever is locked by the pawl and ratchet teeth in this adjustedposition, and the tray supported in a horizontal position. Withoutfurther adjustment of the bracelever the tray ma be readily lifted offof the door. I contemp ate using the tray without the cup shapedholders. The tray and associated elements may be formed of metal, suchas aluminum, or an other suitable material which ma be readi y washed orsterilized.

It is to e understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown anddescribed, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A curb service tray,comprising a tray element, clamp means carried by the tray element toengage one side of the upstanding portion of an automobile or the like,a toothed segment arranged beneath and attached to the tray element alever havin one end pivotally connected with the toothe segment so thatits free end may be swung toward and away from the clamp means; suchfree end being adapted for enga ement with the opposite side of said ustanding portion of the automobile, said ever being rigid throughout itslength from its free end to its point of pivotal connection with thesegment, and a pawl pivotally mounted upon the lever and arran ed toengage with the toothed segment, sai pawl having pivotal movement withrelation to the free end portion of the lever.

2. A curb service tray, comprising a tray element, clamp means carriedby the tray element to engage one side of the u standing portion of anautomobile or the li e, a segment attached to the tray and arrangedopposite the clamp means and provided with ratchet teeth, a lever havingone end pivotally mounted upon the segment so that its opposite free endmay be swung toward and away from the clamp means, said lever beingrigid throughout its length from its free end to its point of pivotalconnection with the segment, and a spring-pressed dog pivotally mountedupon the lever and arranged to engage with the ratchet teeth of the sement, the arrangement bein such that the ice end of the lever is adapteto be moved into enga ement with the opposite side of said upstan ingportion of the automobile and the dog will trip over the ratchet teethwhen the lever is moving toward said upstanding portion, the dog andratchet teeth automatically locking the lever against swinging movementfrom said upstanding portion.

3. A curb service tra clamp means carried by the tray and ependingtherefrom for engagement with one side of the upstanding portion of anautomobile, a lever arranged beneath the tray and having one end thereofpivotally connected with the tray so that its opposite end may be swungtoward and away from said clamp means, said opposite end being adaptedto engage with the opposite side of said upstanding support, said leverbeing rigid throughout its entire length from its mobile, :1 segment dendi from the tra and attached thereto a d?! ha gng ratchet teeth facingtoward the clams means, a" lever embodying spaced sides an a closed edgewhich is disposed next to the clamp means, the opposite edge of thelever being open and arranged remote from said clamp means said sidesbeing arranged upon opposite sides of said segment and pivoted theretonear their ends, the arrangement being such that the free end of thelever may be swung toward and away from said clamp means, said free endbeing adapted to en age with the opposite side of said upstandingportion of the automobile, said lever bein rigid throughout its lengthbetween its ree end and its point of pivotal connection with thesegment, and a awl pivotally mounted between the sides 0 said lever andarranged to engage the ratchet teeth, said pawlhaving a tail projectinglaterally through and beyond the open 7 edge of the lever, the arranment of the pawl and ratchet teeth being sac that they permit of thefree swinging movement of the free end of the lever toward the clampmeans, but lock the lever against swinging movement in an oppositedirection.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature.

OHN W. STRICKLAND.

